Arts: Snoop Dogg?s Surprising, And Perhaps Inevitable, ?Reincarnation?

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Brow Beat Snoop Dogg's Surprising, And Perhaps Inevitable, "Reincarnation" By Aisha Harris Posted Tuesday, Jul 31, 2012, at 08:38 PM ET The rapper formerly known as Snoop Dogg has announced that he is changing his name to Snoop Lion. The new moniker is part of the rapper's transformation from an iconic hip-hop artist to an aspiring reggae singer—one that comes as both a surprise and, perhaps, an inevitable career move. That move includes a new Diplo-produced single called "La La La" and the upcoming documentary Reincarnated, set to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. Some have been taken aback by the fact that Snoop does not consider this a lark (Popdust can hardly believe that he intends to record an entire album, not just one track), and even the trailer itself calls this "an unexpected journey of a modern icon." Snoop declares that he is "tired of rapping," and has made it clear to the press that he has no intention of  rhyming again. But does this twist really come so far out of left field? When last week, Drake declared that he was the first to meld rapping and singing together "successfully," many were quick to point out that any number of artists had done it before him—and better—including Snoop, who has sung the hooks on tracks like "Sensual Seduction" and shared the mic with his pal Willie Nelson on country track "Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die."   Not to mention his usual, one-of-a-kind smooth delivery. Snoop's vocal stylings have even inspired celebrated music critic Robert Christgau to, however ... To continue reading, click here. Join the Fray: our reader discussion forum What did you think of this article? POST A MESSAGE | READ MESSAGES Also In Slate Gore Vidal Dead at 86 Were the Ancient Greek Athletes Tougher Than Today's Olympians? Going Postal	Advertisement
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